HC notice to Adani on environmental damage at SEZ

SummaryThe Gujarat High Court on Thursday issued notices to the state government and Adani Power directing them to file reply on a PIL alleging environmental damage at the industrial giant's Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kutch district.

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The Gujarat High Court on Thursday issued notices to the state government and Adani Power directing them to file reply on a PIL alleging environmental damage at the industrial giant's Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kutch district.

Issuing notices to the department of forest and environment and Adani Power, a division bench of chief justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and justice JB Pardiwala asked them to respond to the allegations, listed against them in the PIL, by August 21, when the next hearing is scheduled.

The PIL is filed by one Mangal Murji Gadhvi, who hails from Kutch district, alleging that Adani Power Limited (APL) has damaged the environment in Adani Port Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) in Kutch and in the surrounding areas.

Adani has made a 3.5 km-long and 50-feet-deep 'kaccha' canal under the sea to get water for its power plant project in APSEZ, the PIL alleged.

The PIL has said that the sea water gets mixed with the drinkable groundwater when it is being brought through the canal and also salinity is ingressed in the fertile land of the area, rendering it unfit for agricultural purpose.

‘‘The sea water gets leaked in the fertile land near APSEZ, which has damaged the vegetation and crops here,’’ advocate Mehul Shah submitted before the court on behalf of the petitioner.

According to the petitioner, hot water generated from the power plant is destroying sea ecology.

‘‘Adani Power has been releasing hot water generated from the process of power plant, and in doing so sea creatures like fish etc. are being destroyed. This has made an adverse impact on the environment,’’ the PIL alleged.

The petitioner demanded directions from the state high court to Adani to make a proper canal system for the company's power plant and to establish a treatment plant to treat hot water generated from the plant.